Where To See Santa In Encino-Tarzana This Christmas Season

ENCINO, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Los Angeles this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families' holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Los Angeles, kids have several chances:

Los Angeles

• Northridge Fashion Center: Take Pictures with Santa all season long. Bring Fido, too. You can even skip the line by making reservations here.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Grinchmas, Snap a picture with green Santa (The Grinch) and his trusty reindeer (Max) through the holiday season.
• Santa's Workshop at The Grove located on First Street near Barnes & Noblet through Dec. 24.
• Santa's Cottage at The Promenade at Westlake through Dec. 24, 2022.
• Century City Mall, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Dec. 1-24, times vary. Visit this website to schedule a visit.
• Westfield Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Dec. 1-24, times vary. Visit this website to check times.
• The Holiday Ho Ho Ho is back this year at the Pacific Palisades Simon Meadow Christmas Tree lot. On Dec. 17 take photos and enjoy festivities with the whole family. For more information visit the celebration's Instagram page here.

Glendale

• Santa's House at The Americana at Brand through Dec. 24, 2022.

Beverly Hills

• Two Rodeo Drive, 9480 Dayton Way, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 13, 20.

Culver City

• Westfield Culver City, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Dec. 1-24, center court near Macy's.
• On Christmas Eve Santa will stop by The Culver Hotel in the grand lobby. Share hot cocoa and make holiday memories with Father Christmas on Dec. 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more info check out the event listing here.

Santa Monica

• Santa Monica Place’s Center Plaza, 395 Santa Monica Place, Nov. 19-Dec. 24, check website for times.
• The annual Multicultural Santa Playdate and Holiday celebration will take place at the South Beach Park Playground on Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make reservations visit the event listing.

Calabasas

• Holiday Road Experience - King Gillette Ranch, 26800 West Mulholland Hwy, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Dec. 1-30. For tickets, click this link.

Moorpark

• Underwood Family Farm, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd., 11 a.m.–4 p.m. on Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18. couple more

Long Beach

• Santa visits SteelCraft Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3768 Long Beach Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90807. For more info and to reserve a spot on his lap go here.
• Take a Selfie with Santa near Marina Drive and Ample Hills Creamery at the 2nd and PCH shopping center all the way until Christmas Eve. For hours and times to see him go to this link.
• The Aquarium of the Pacific is giving Santa the chance to take a dive as well as meet kids and have photo opportunities. On weekends starting Dec, 3 through the 18 Santa will be available for photos. For more info visit the aquarium's website.

Palos Verdes

• Santa will see kids at the parade and meet and greet event in Palos Verdes estates on Dec. 17. the event goes from 4:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. with Santa meeting people at Malago Cove Plaza from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more details visit the city's website.
• Ranch Palos Verdes will be hosting Santa on Dec. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 thanks to the Lomita Sheriff Station. Kids can meet him and get a candy cane from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at specific locations listed on this site.

South Bay

• Santa Claus returns to Redondo Beach on his sleigh thanks to the Redondo Beach Police and Fire Associations. Routes will be at various times and places starting Nov. 28 through Dec. 15. For the full schedule and routes check the city's website.
• Santa's sleigh ride will also come to Hermosa Beach on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more info visit the city's website.
• Not just kids can meet Father Christmas, take your pet to meet Santa every Monday from Nov. 18 to Dec. 24 at Manhattan Village. Reservations are required and for more information visit the shopping center's website.
• Santa will also be available for families to get photos at Manhattan Villiage until Christmas Eve. For more info and to view a schedule as well as make a reservation check out the shopping center's website.